Green Energy and Jobs Grow in Essex County

Toronto – The Green Energy Act Alliance congratulates Brookfield Renewable Power for their investment in wind energy in Ontario. Brookfield’s 50 megawatt (MW) Gosfield Wind Facility officially opened today in Essex County, adding to their existing 189 MW Prince Wind Facility in Sault Ste. Marie, bringing their total installed wind generating capacity to 229 MW. Combined with their Comber Wind Project in the Town of Lakeshore, now under construction and scheduled to generate 166 MW, Brookfield’s wind generating capacity will top 400 MW by the end of 2011. “It’s great to see the Green Energy Act meeting its goals of greening our power supply, and creating jobs for Ontario’s workers,” said Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence. “Today, green energy accounts for a small portion of our total energy supply, but we look forward to the day when it accounts for a much larger percentage.” Together, Brookfield’s three projects in Ontario are expected to create enough energy to power approximately 130,000 homes. The Gosfield Wind Facility and the Comber Wind Project will create 300 jobs during construction and 15 permanent jobs for operations and maintenance, which represents a significant boost to Ontario’s manufacturers and labourers. Although the Gosfield project will sell its power under a 20-year purchase agreement, the Comber Wind Project was one of the first projects approved under the Green Energy Act’s Feed-in-Tariff, which means it must contain 25% Ontario content. Brookfield will comply with the domestic content requirements by sourcing wind turbine components from Ontario and by hiring local contractors to undertake the construction work. About the Green Energy Act Alliance: The Alliance’s vision is to make Ontario a global leader in green energy development through the use of renewable energy, distributed energy and conservation, creating thousands of jobs, economic prosperity, and energy security, while ensuring climate protection. Member groups include: Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, Community Power Fund, David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, United Steelworkers, First Nations Energy Alliance, Ivey Foundation, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Pembina Institute (www.GreenEnergyAct.ca). -30- For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact: Erin Charter, Environmental Defence, (416) 323-9521 ext. 258; (647) 280-9521 (cell)